The Missing Link Between Strategy and Innovation

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Design in Design Innovation | 0 Comments

Established companies know they must innovate to find growth in the digital era. So, in recent years, large companies have set up innovation labs, accelerators, hackathons, and open innovation programs to look beyond their core, pursue disruptive ideas, iterate, and experiment. The Missing Link Between Strategy and Innovation To drive growth, corporate innovation needs to connect to a clear set of strategic priorities and play to the company’s strengths. March 18, 2024 Summary. In too many companies, an innovation team is allowed to pursue its own agenda and imagine itself to be a separate island from the rest of the company. The results are always disappointing: a lot of creative ideas, but a failure to deliver meaningful growth. The root problem is the disconnect between strategy and innovation. To succeed, corporate innovation needs to be bounded by a clear set of strategic priorities that matter to the business. And it needs to play to the strengths of the firm — whether data, customer relationships, or supply chains — that will enable it to outcompete others attempting the same idea. The author offers five steps to help embed strategy into the innovation process. New! HBR Learning Innovation and Creativity Course Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Innovation and Creativity. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies. Unlock your team’s curiosity and willingness to take smart risks. Learn More & See All Courses New! HBR Learning Innovation and Creativity Course Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Innovation and Creativity. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies. Unlock your team’s curiosity and willingness to take smart risks.